Lori Michelle Chavez-DeRemer(/ˈtʃɑːvɛzdəˈriːmər/;néeChávez;born April 7, 1968) is an American politician who served as theU.S. representativeforOregon's 5th congressional districtfrom 2023 to 2025. A member of theRepublican Party,Chavez-DeRemer served as mayor ofHappy Valley, Oregon,from 2011 to 2019.
Lori Chávez-DeRemer | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2022 | |
| United States Secretary of Labor Nominee | |
| Assuming office TBD | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Succeeding | Marty Walsh |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromOregon's5thdistrict | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Kurt Schrader |
| Succeeded by | Janelle Bynum |
| Mayor ofHappy Valley | |
| In office January 18, 2011 – January 15, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Rob Wheeler |
| Succeeded by | Tom Ellis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lori Michelle Chávez April 7, 1968 Santa Clara, California,U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Shawn DeRemer |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Stuart Erwin(great-granduncle) |
| Education | California State University, Fresno(BBA) |
She is the first Republican woman to represent Oregon in the House. Additionally, she is one of the first twoHispanicwomen (alongsideAndrea Salinas) elected to theUnited States Congressfrom Oregon. Chavez-DeRemer served one term in the House before being defeated in 2024 by DemocratJanelle Bynum.
On November 22, 2024, President-electDonald Trumpnominated Chavez-DeRemer as hissecretary of labor.Chavez-DeRemer was the only Republican co-sponsor and one of three congressional Republicans to support theProtecting the Right to Organize Act(PRO Act),[1]though she partially walked back her support during her labor secretary confirmation hearing in 2025. The act would give workers more advantages when organizing or joiningunionsandbargaining with employers.[1][2]Her nomination was backed byTeamstersPresidentSean O'Brien,who praised her support of the PRO Act and thanked Trump for the pick, but faces opposition from some business groups.[2][3]
Early life and education
editBorn on April 7, 1968, inSanta Clara,California, Chavez-DeRemer grew up inHanford,California, and was raised by her father Richard Chavez, described as a "Mexican AmericanTeamster".[4][5]Chavez-DeRemer graduated fromHanford High Schoolin 1986.[6][7][8]She earned a bachelor's degree inbusiness administrationfromCalifornia State University, Fresno.[9]
Early political career
editChavez-DeRemer was elected to the city council ofHappy Valley, Oregon,in 2004.[7]She was elected mayor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. She served as mayor until 2018.[10]
In 2016, after incumbentShemia Faganopted not to seek reelection to her seat inOregon House District 51,Chavez-DeRemer filed to run as a Republican, and won the primary unopposed.[11]She lost by 564 votes to restaurateurJanelle Bynumin the November general election, in what was the most expensive state House race in Oregon of 2016.[12][13]
In June 2017, Chavez-DeRemer formed apolitical action committeeto explore a gubernatorial bid in2018.[14]In October 2017, she announced in a YouTube video that she would not run for governor, clearing the primary for eventual nomineeKnute Buehler.[15][16]
In March 2018, Chavez-DeRemer announced her intention to again run for House District 51.[17]She was unopposed in the Republican primary. She again lost to Bynum, by 2,223 votes.[18][19]
U.S. House of Representatives
editElections
edit2022
editChavez-DeRemer won the May 2022 Republican primary forOregon's 5th congressional district.The district, which had been represented for seven terms by moderate DemocratKurt Schrader,was significantly altered in redistricting after Oregon gained a House seat. It lost its share of the Pacific coastline and the state capital ofSalem,but stretched further south to gain rapidly-growingBend.Schrader lost the Democratic primary to progressiveJamie McLeod-Skinnerand refused to endorse her in the general election.
Chavez-DeRemer defeated McLeod-Skinner in the November 8 general election.[20][21]
Both Chavez-DeRemer and McLeod-Skinner lived just outside the district at the time of the election. Under theU.S. Constitution,members of the U.S. House must be residents of their state, but do not have to live in the district.[22]
2024
editChavez-DeRemer ran for reelection in 2024 against Democratic nomineeJanelle Bynum.The race was considered one of the most competitive in the US House and drew more than $26 million inoutside spending.The race was called for Bynum on Friday, November 8.[23]
Committee assignments
edit- Committee on Agriculture
- Committee on Education and the Workforce
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Caucus memberships
editSecretary of Labor
editNomination
editOn November 22, 2024, President-electDonald Trumpnominated Chavez-DeRemer as hissecretary of labor.[26]She appeared before theSenate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensionson February 19, 2025.[27]When asked by multiple senators about theProtecting the Right to Organize Act,which she co-sponsored while serving in Congress, Chavez-Deramer stated that she no longer supported provisions overturning stateright to worklaws and did not provide a direct answer as to whether she still supported the bill as a whole.[28]The committee advanced her nomination in a 14–9 vote on February 27.[29]
Political positions
editChavez-DeRemer is described byThe New York Timesas "a mainstream Republican" who pitches herself as an independent thinker.[30]
Chavez-DeRemer voted to provide Israel with support following the2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[31][32]
Chavez-DeRemer was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter spearheaded by centrist members of the House of Representatives in which they pledged to respect the results of the2024 presidential election.[33]
Chavez-DeRemer, along with Democratic minority leaderHakeem Jeffries,cosponsored legislation to reformfederal cannabis laws.She also cosponsored the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act, which would expand the power of public sector unions.[34]
Chavez-DeRemer was the only Republican co-sponsor and one of three congressional Republicans to support theProtecting the Right to Organize Act(PRO Act) strongly opposed by business groups.[1]The act would give workers more advantages when organizing or joining unions and bargaining with employers, also weakening state right-to-work laws.[1][2]She was supported byTeamstersPresidentSean O'Brienfor the position of Secretary of Labor, who thanked President-elect Trump for the nomination, noting her support of the PRO Act.[2]Her nomination was opposed by some business interest groups.[3]
She stated that she personally opposes abortion but would oppose a national abortion ban and supportsIVFtreatments.Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America,a group that opposes abortion, scored her views with a B.[35]
Personal life
editChavez-DeRemer is married to Shawn DeRemer, ananesthesiologist.They have two children and live in Happy Valley.[36]
Chavez-DeRemer isRoman Catholic.[37]
Electoral history
edit2024
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janelle Bynum | 191,365 | 47.7 | |
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) | 180,420 | 45.0 | |
| Independent | Brett Smith | 18,665 | 4.7 | |
| Libertarian | Sonja Feintech | 6,193 | 1.5 | |
| Pacific Green | Andrea Thorn Townsend | 4,155 | 1.0 | |
| Write-in | 495 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 401,293 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) | 54,458 | 98.18 | |
| Republican | Write-in | 1,009 | 1.81 | |
| Total votes | 55,467 | 100.0 | ||
2022
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 178,813 | 50.91 | |
| Democratic | Jamie McLeod-Skinner | 171,514 | 48.83 | |
| Write-in | 906 | 0.26 | ||
| Total votes | 351,233 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 30,438 | 42.77 | |
| Republican | Jimmy Crumpacker | 20,631 | 28.99 | |
| Republican | John Di Paola | 11,486 | 16.14 | |
| Republican | Laurel L. Roses | 6,321 | 8.88 | |
| Republican | Madison Oatman | 1,863 | 2.62 | |
| Republican | Write-in | 429 | 0.60 | |
| Total votes | 71,168 | 100.0 | ||
2018
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janelle Bynum(incumbent) | 14,843 | 53.92 | |
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 12,620 | 45.85 | |
| Write-in | 63 | 0.23 | ||
| Total votes | 27,526 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 2,453 | 97.77 | |
| Republican | Write-in | 56 | 2.23 | |
| Total votes | 2,509 | 100.0 | ||
2016
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janelle Bynum | 14,310 | 50.85 | |
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 13,746 | 48.85 | |
| Write-in | 86 | 0.30 | ||
| Total votes | 28,142 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Lori Chavez-DeRemer | 3,255 | 96.14 | |
| Republican | Write-in | 96 | 2.86 | |
| Total votes | 3,351 | 100.0 | ||
2014
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Lori Chavez-DeRemer (incumbent) | 3,682 | 94.63 | |
| Write-in | 209 | 5.37 | ||
| Total votes | 3,891 | 100.0 | ||
2010
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Lori DeRemer | 2,749 | 94.63 | |
| Write-in | 156 | 5.37 | ||
| Total votes | 2,905 | 100.0 | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdDubberly, David E. (November 26, 2024)."Who is Lori Chavez-DeRemer, President-elect Trump's Pick for Secretary of Labor?".MaynardNexsen.RetrievedDecember 11,2024.
- ^abcdHsu, Andrea (November 23, 2024)."Trump picks Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead Labor Department".NPR.Archivedfrom the original on November 23, 2024.RetrievedNovember 23,2024.
- ^abGurley, Lauren Kaori (November 22, 2024)."Trump picks Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon for labor secretary".The Washington Post.
- ^Kim, E. Tammy (February 12, 2025)."Donald Trump's Pro-Union Labor Secretary".The New Yorker.
- ^Farah, Lynn (February 23, 2025)."Meet Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump's pick for labour secretary who Democrats like: from growing up in a farming community, to becoming a mayor in Oregon and Trump's choice – for her pro-union stance".South China Morning Post.
- ^Stone, Reid (November 24, 2024)."Trump taps Hanford native, Fresno St. grad Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary".San Joaquin Valley Sun.RetrievedNovember 26,2024.
- ^ab"Candidate Information: Lori Chavez-DeRemer".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
- ^"Incoming Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer".LegiStorm.RetrievedDecember 6,2022.
- ^"Lori Chavez-DeRemer".Archives of Women's Political Communication, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics.Iowa State University of Science and Technology.November 2, 2022.Archivedfrom the original on December 1, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 3,2023.
- ^"Lori Chavez-DeRemer".National Republican Congressional Committee.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2022.RetrievedNovember 13,2022.
- ^Jaquiss, Nigel(November 8, 2016)."What's an Open Oregon House Seat Worth? Try Nearly $2 Million".Willamette Week.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
- ^Shumway, Julia (October 27, 2022)."Rural Democrat, suburban Republican duke it out in Oregon's 5th Congressional District".Oregon Capital Chronicle.Archivedfrom the original on November 13, 2022.RetrievedNovember 13,2022.
- ^"Oregon's Most Expensive House Race Will End With Narrow Victory for Janelle Bynum".Willamette Week.November 9, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
- ^Rendleman, Raymond (August 7, 2017)."Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer may take on Rep. Knute Buehler".Clackamas Review.Archivedfrom the original on January 4, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2022.
- ^Oregonian/OregonLive, Hillary Borrud | The (October 10, 2017)."Happy Valley mayor won't run for governor in 2018".oregonlive.Archivedfrom the original on January 7, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
- ^Rendleman, Raymond (October 10, 2017)."Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer won't run against Rep. Knute Buehler".ClackamasReview.Archivedfrom the original on March 17, 2023.RetrievedMarch 17,2023.
- ^"Happy Valley Mayor Lori Chavez-DeRemer running for House".The Oregon Catalyst.March 7, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
- ^Miner, Colin (November 8, 2018)."Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer".Across America, US Patch.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
- ^"Oregon Elections: Bynum Beats Back Challenge From Chavez-DeRemer".Across America, US Patch.November 8, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
- ^Stringer, Grant (November 11, 2022)."Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer wins Oregon's 5th District seat in Congress, flipping longtime Democratic seat red".The Oregonian/OregonLive.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2022.RetrievedNovember 14,2022.
- ^Flaccus, Gillian (November 13, 2022)."GOP's Chavez-DeRemer flips Oregon 5th Congressional District".AP News.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2022.RetrievedNovember 14,2022.
- ^Warner, Gary A. (November 14, 2022)."Republicans win key Oregon U.S. House seat in boost to bid for majority".Oregon Capital Insider.Archivedfrom the original on November 15, 2022.RetrievedNovember 15,2022.
- ^Dole, Bryce (November 8, 2024)."Democrat Janelle Bynum flips Oregon's most high-profile US House district".Oregon Public Broadcasting.RetrievedNovember 8,2024.
- ^"About Climate Solutions Caucus".Climate Solutions Caucus.RetrievedNovember 7,2024.
- ^"Committees and Caucuses".Representative Chavez-Deremer.January 3, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on April 3, 2023.RetrievedMarch 25,2023.
- ^"Donald J. Trump has picked Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer as his labor secretary".
- ^Duster, Chandelis; Hernandez, Joe (February 19, 2025)."Trump's labor pick Lori Chavez-DeRemer faces questions on unions, Musk and immigration".NPR.RetrievedFebruary 22,2025.
- ^Bussewitz, Cathy (February 19, 2025)."Senators question labor nominee Chavez-DeRemer's allegiance in confirmation hearing".Oregon Public Broadcasting.Associated Press.RetrievedFebruary 23,2025.
- ^Hunter, Kathleen; Kight, Stef W. (February 27, 2025)."Chavez-DeRemer's labor chief nomination advances with Dem support".Axios.RetrievedFebruary 28,2025.
- ^"Tracking the House's Most Competitive Races".
- ^Demir gian, Karoun (October 25, 2023)."House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Archivedfrom the original on October 30, 2023.RetrievedOctober 30,2023.
- ^Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023)."Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session".Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.Archivedfrom the original on October 30, 2023.RetrievedOctober 30,2023.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^Brooks, Emily (September 13, 2024)."6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results".The Hill.RetrievedSeptember 13,2024.
- ^Timotija, Filip (November 23, 2024)."5 things to know about Trump's pick to lead the Labor Department".The Hill.RetrievedNovember 23,2024.
- ^"Trump's labor nominee once worked at Planned Parenthood, risking further GOP ire".NBC News.February 12, 2025.RetrievedFebruary 15,2025.
- ^"Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Congress".Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 8,2023.
- ^"Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress"(PDF).Pew Research Center.Archived(PDF)from the original on March 16, 2023.
- ^"November 5, 2024, General Election Abstract of Votes"(PDF).Oregon Secretary of State.Archived(PDF)from the original on December 12, 2024.RetrievedDecember 12,2024.
- ^"May 21, 2024, Primary Election Abstract of Votes"(PDF).Oregon Secretary of State.
- ^"November 8, 2022, General Election Abstract of Votes"(PDF).Oregon Secretary of State.p. 3.Archived(PDF)from the original on February 16, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 5,2023.
- ^"May 17, 2022, Primary Election Abstract of Votes"(PDF).Oregon Secretary of State.p. 3.Archived(PDF)from the original on December 31, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
- ^"November 6, 2018, General Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on May 21, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 18,2023.
- ^"May 15, 2018, Primary Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on May 18, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
- ^"November 8, 2016, General Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 18,2023.
- ^"May 17, 2016, Primary Election Abstract of Votes".Oregon Secretary of State.Archivedfrom the original on January 19, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
- ^"Clackamas County, Oregon General Election Results 2014".Clackamas County Elections.Archivedfrom the original on January 20, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
- ^"Nov. 2, 2010 General Election Final Results".Clackamas County Elections.Archivedfrom the original on January 20, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 19,2023.
External links
edit
- Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemerofficial U.S. House website
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Congress